Balloon Fun

So I bought a balloon making kit. I hope to have some creative balloon skills by the time we travel to Africa so I can make these:



Until next time...

Ethiopia Research

As a team we have begun doing some individual research on Ethiopia. Probably a good idea since we are traveling to the country, huh? I found a great site with lots of information that I thought I'd share:

http://www.selamta.net/index.htm

Just thought I'd share some little tidbits I've learned thus far:
- 83 languages are spoken in Ethiopia
- They have a cereal called Tef that is made from a cereal grain called Ingera. It's a staple food in the Ethiopian diet
- There is an 85% illiteracy rate
- Ethiopia is the orginial home of the coffee plant (all the more reason to buy coffee ;) http://963coffee.com/default.aspx?affiliateID=10154)


Okay, that is all for now. It's not much but is a little bit of an insight. I'll share more as I find it!

All Will Be Well

This song by the Gabe Dixon Band has been so reassuring these past weeks. Please take a listen!

Lyrics:

The new day dawns

And I am practicing my purpose once again

It is fresh and it is fruitful if I win

but if I lose, ooh, I don't know

I'll be tired but I will turn and I will go

Only guessing 'til I get there then I'll know

Ohh, I will know

And all the children walking home past the factories

Can see the light that's shining in my window

As I write this song to you

And all the cars running fast along the interstate

Can feel the love that radiates

Illuminating what I know is true

And all will be well

Even after all the promises you've broken to yourself

All will be well

You can ask me how but only time will tell

The winter's cold

But the snow still lightly settles on the trees

And a mess is still a moment I can seize until I know

That all will be well

Even though sometimes this is hard to tell

And the fight is just as frustrating as hell

All will be well

And all the children walking home past the factories

Can see the light that's shining in my window

As I write this song to you

And all the cars running fast along the interstate

Can feel the love that radiates

Illuminating what I know is true

And all will be well

Even after all the promises you've broken to yourself

All will be well

You can ask me how but only time will tell

You got to keep it up

And don't give up

And chase your dreams

And you will find

All in time

And all the children walking home past the factories

Can see the light that's shining in my window

As I write this song to you

And all the cars running fast along the interstateCan feel the love that radiatesIlluminating what I know is true

And all will be well

Even after all the promises you've broken to yourself

All will be well

You can ask me how but only time will tell

All will be well

Even after all the promises you've broken to yourself

All will be well

You can ask me how but only time will tell

You can ask me how but only time will tell

Movie Time!

I'm taking this trip to Africa with the Mocha Club. Matt Wertz (a fabulous musician) is the person who I first heard talking about the Mocha Club. Thanks Matt!

This video helps explain the kinds of things the Mocha Club does. Plus, it explains better than I ever could and it has fun music!

Enjoy =)

What This is All About

This summer I have the awesome opportunity to travel to Ethiopia, Africa for two weeks with a nonprofit called the Mocha Club. I have been part of the Mocha Club for almost a year now. But you are probably asking, what does that mean?!? Well that means that I donate $7 each month (the equivalent to two mochas or two favorite whatevers from Starbucks - Chai in my case!) to go towards various projects in Africa. The Mocha Club supports various causes such as helping with the HIV/Aids epidemic, orphan care, and job development. Please check out http://www.mochaclub.org/ to learn more. And if you fall in love with the organization like I did...join my team! (http://mochaclub.org/join/3268)

But back to now, and why I am going to Africa. Well, I recieved an email in December saying that the Mocha Club was sending groups to Africa this summer. I knew at once I wanted to go, but after looking at the financial aspect, felt I should give up the idea. I went home for Christmas/winter break and still couldn't get the idea out of my head. It was like I was meant to go.

So, simply enough, I applied, got accepted, and am on my way to soon setting foot in Ethiopia. I am on a team with people from across the USA. Most are on the East Coast so I'm getting use to being the "one with the accent." Our team has conference calls every two weeks. The prayer and hope is that by the time we fly out to Ethiopia we are a cohesive and spiritually close group. So far it has been so much fun getting to know my team!

The biggest concern right now for me is trust. Trust that God will provide for the financial aspect of this trip. With my domestic airfare factored in, the trip costs around $3,600. By April 1st, I need to have raised $2362.50 of that. As of now, I'm at the $850 mark. If you'd like to help there are two different ways:

1) Buy Cocoa or Coffee!!!! Part of the proceeds goes directly toward my trip. It's Arabic coffee that is organic and Fair Wage. You can find it by following this link:
http://963coffee.com/default.aspx?affiliateID=10154

2) Donate directly toward my trip. Checks can be made out to "African Leadership", the organization hosting and leading the trip. Please include a note saying the money is to go towards my trip. (Also, they are tax deductable so just make sure not to put my name in the memo line. It might void the tax deduction) Checks can be sent to:
963 Missions, Attn: Mocha Club
10440 N. Central Expwy., Suite 122
Dallas, Texas 75231

But, more than anything, please keep myself and my team in your thoughts and prayers. And check back often! I'll be posting informational items to better explain my trip as well as things I come upon that help me prepare for the upcoming journey.

Coming Soon

Some fun things will be posted soon.

Thank you for supporting me in this journey!!!

=)